125: Chapter 125: I didn't realize our Dong'er was so grateful!

Wang Donger listened in silence for a few moments, then slowly nodded, a look of understanding and agreement appearing on her beautiful face: "If it's to help Sister Snow Empress break through... then we really should go. For these past four years, Sister Snow Empress has been protecting us on Sea God Island. Whether it was facing the Deep Sea Demon Whale King or sparring with Senior Poseidon, she has given so much. We really can't just treat her as... ahem, as our most reliable backup, without considering anything for her. She has helped us so much; we ought to repay her."

Hearing Wang Donger's sensible words—even taking the initiative to call Snow Empress 'sister' and considering how to repay her—a flash of relief and amusement crossed Lu Jing's eyes. He couldn't help but reach out and pinch her smooth, tender cheek, teasing, "Oh? I never would have guessed, our Miss Donger actually knows how to return a favor? I thought you only knew how to enjoy Sister Snow's protection."

"Lu Jing!" Wang Donger's pretty face darkened. She angrily slapped his hand away and glared at him, retorting, "Are you trying to die?! You make it sound as if I, Wang Donger, am some ungrateful wretch who only knows how to take without giving back! Do I look like that kind of person to you?!"

"Of course not, of course not. Our Donger is the kindest and most considerate." Lu Jing quickly laughed to soothe her, taking the opportunity to pull her into his arms and kiss the top of her head. He reminded her, "Alright, no more messing around. Since you agree, hurry up and get ready. I'm going to go find Sister Snow next door to discuss it with her. We'll set off today."

"Mm, I know." Wang Donger replied, breaking free from his embrace. She rubbed her still-sleepy eyes and began looking for her clothes.

Lu Jing dressed neatly, stepped out of the room, and gently closed the door behind him before heading to the door of Snow Empress's room next door.

He raised his hand and knocked three times, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

A moment later, the door creaked open from within.

Snow Empress appeared in the doorway.

Clearly, she had just been awakened by the knocking and hadn't yet had time to wash up or dress.

She was wearing a simple blue-and-white silk nightgown, the fabric light and soft, clinging to her body and outlining her tall, exquisite, and perfect curves.

The nightgown was sleeveless, leaving her legs—which looked as if they had been carved from the finest mutton-fat jade—exposed to the cool air.

Their lines were smooth and graceful, and her skin was so delicate it seemed to emit a faint, ethereal glow.

Her rounded shoulders and exquisite collarbones, accentuated by the nightgown, displayed a breathtaking, cold beauty.

Her stunning face still held a trace of lingering sleepiness, lacking its usual sharpness and possessing a touch of lazy softness instead.

Her long, silver-white hair was not tied up; it draped down her back as softly as flowing moonlight, the ends curling slightly.

Her ice-blue eyes seemed to hold less chill than usual at this moment, and she looked at Lu Jing in the doorway with a hint of inquiry.

"What do you need?" Snow Empress's voice held the slight, husky quality characteristic of having just woken up, yet it remained cold and melodious.

Seeing her in this state—so different from her usual self, with a unique allure—a flash of admiration crossed Lu Jing's eyes.

A bright smile appeared on his face as he sincerely exclaimed, "Sister Snow, you're truly becoming more beautiful every day."

Upon hearing this, a nearly imperceptible ripple passed through Snow Empress's ice-blue eyes.

She gave him a look of annoyance and didn't respond to the compliment, instead turning around and walking back into the room.

She said in a calm tone, "Spare me that. Tell me, why are you here so early? Do you need my help with something? Are we going to fight again?"

Lu Jing followed her into the room and closed the door behind him, immediately putting on a pitiful expression.

"Sister Snow, is that the kind of person I am in your heart? Do I only seek you out when it's time to fight?"

Snow Empress walked to the vanity, picked up an ivory comb, and began to comb her long, silver-white hair...

At his words, her movements paused slightly.

She glanced at Lu Jing in the mirror, blinked her ice-blue eyes, and countered, "Isn't... that the case?"

Lu Jing: "..."

Watching Lu Jing's instantly frozen, speechless expression, the corners of Snow Empress's mouth curled up in an almost imperceptible, faint arc—like the first glimmer of light when ice and snow begin to thaw—before it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Snow Empress put down the comb, turned around, and looked at Lu Jing seriously.

"What is it, really?"

Lu Jing also set aside his joking demeanor. He looked at Snow Empress earnestly and asked, "Sister Snow, do you... want to break through to 700,000 years of cultivation?"

Snow Empress's hand paused in the middle of combing her hair.

Her ice-blue eyes instantly sharpened. She looked at Lu Jing, her willow brows slightly furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said." Lu Jing stated frankly, "I know of a hidden treasure land that contains the purest essence of ice origin power in the world.

It would have unimaginable benefits for your cultivation, especially when it comes to breaking through your bottleneck.

It might help you increase your cultivation significantly in a short time, allowing you to reach the 700,000-year heavenly tribulation.

As it happens, Wang Donger and I need to go there to take care of some business, so I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in going with us?"

Snow Empress fell silent.

She looked into Lu Jing's eyes. Within those deep, black pupils, there was no teasing or calculation at this moment—only an air of openness and sincerity, and a trace of... expectation?

Was he looking forward to her becoming stronger?

Yet, the 700,000-year heavenly tribulation was like a sharp sword hanging over her head; even she had never dared to take it lightly.

Any opportunity that could increase her chances of surviving the tribulation was of vital importance to her.

And the treasure land Lu Jing spoke of, containing the purest essence of ice, caused ripples in her frozen heart.

She pondered for a moment, the light in her ice-blue eyes flickering as if she were weighing something.

Finally, she nodded slightly, her voice returning to its usual cool composure: "Very well. It wouldn't hurt to go and see."

"Great!" Lu Jing reminded her, "Then, Sister Snow, hurry up and wash up and change into something practical for travel.

Wang Donger and I will wait for you outside. Let's set off as soon as possible."

"Mm." Snow Empress replied.

Lu Jing didn't delay any longer, turned around, and left Snow Empress's room.

Leaving Snow Empress's quarters, Lu Jing went to the outside of Xiao Wu's room.

After knocking to wake the sleepy little rabbit, Lu Jing retrieved a jade box from his spirit tool and handed it to her.

"Xiao Wu, we're going out for a while later and might be gone for a few days.

Just stay here safely, don't run off, and absorb this."

Lu Jing opened the jade box, and a refreshing, intoxicating fragrance immediately filled the air.

Inside the box lay an Immortal Plant with a unique shape and a body that shimmered with radiant colors—it was a top-tier Immortal Plant perfectly suited for the Soft Bones Rabbit Spirit.

"Wow! Is this... for me?"

Xiao Wu, who had been dazed moments before, saw the Immortal Plant, and her eyes instantly lit up.

Her sleepiness vanished, and her pink eyes were filled with surprise and longing.

She had been craving this Immortal Plant for a long time.

However, because Lu Jing had always been on Sea God Island, she hadn't had the chance to ask, and she was a bit too embarrassed to bring it up.

She hadn't expected Lu Jing to give it to her voluntarily!

"Mm, absorb it well and strive for a breakthrough.

Remember, don't run around, and wait for us to come back."

Lu Jing rubbed her head and instructed her.

"Mm-hmm! Don't worry, Lu Jing! I promise to be good!"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, cradling the jade box as carefully as if it were a priceless treasure, her small face full of excitement.

An hour later, Wang Donger and Snow Empress, having finished washing and dressing, met up with Lu Jing at the mansion entrance.

The three of them didn't disturb anyone else; they simply left a few instructions for Qian Renxue before quietly departing from the mansion, which was located in a secluded part of Heaven Dou City.

With a few leaps, they merged into the stream of people on the streets that had not yet fully awakened in the morning, speeding away toward the outskirts of the city and the direction of the Sunset Forest.